JP2013214225A - Traffic information system, central server, service server and traffic information providing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable traffic information to be used mutually between a plurality of service servers capable of providing the traffic information to an on-vehicle device.SOLUTION: A traffic information system comprises: a plurality of service servers 10, 20, 30 and 40 capable of collecting traffic information from a probe vehicle 5 and a roadside sensor 2, and providing the traffic information to an on-vehicle device 6; and a central server 50 capable of performing information communication with each of the service servers. The central server 50 comprises: a receiving section 52 for acquiring the traffic information transmitted from each of the service servers; a database 51 for storing the acquired traffic information in association with information on confidence in the traffic information; and a transmitting section 52 for transmitting the traffic information stored in the database 51 to a service server according to a request from the service server.

Description

  The present invention relates to a traffic information system and a traffic information providing method for providing traffic information to an in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle, and a central server and a service server included in the traffic information system.

As a technique for providing traffic information to a driver, a traffic information system (probe system) using a probe vehicle is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This probe system is a technology that uses a vehicle (probe vehicle) that actually travels on a road as a moving body sensor, and the server device (service server) obtains probe information such as the current vehicle position and time from each probe vehicle. Traffic information based on a unique format is generated and stored based on the probe information collected by wireless communication.
Then, for example, in response to a request from the probe vehicle, the server device searches for a recommended route to the destination of the probe vehicle based on the accumulated traffic information and provides the information, traffic congestion, etc. Various kinds of information can be provided by wireless communication, such as estimating the traffic situation and providing the information.

JP 2011-34278 A

Since the probe information is acquired by a probe vehicle traveling on the road, it is possible to increase the area coverage rate. However, if the penetration rate of the in-vehicle device to become a probe vehicle is low, the probe information is low in time. Only traffic information can be obtained.
In this way, when there is little traffic information to be acquired, the recommended route to the destination searched using the acquired traffic information and information on traffic conditions such as estimated traffic congestion are provided to the probe vehicle (driver), etc. Even if it tries, it is hard to say that accurate information is always provided.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a traffic information system and a traffic information providing method capable of providing highly accurate information, and a central server and a service server included in the traffic information system.

  (1) The present invention collects the traffic information from a plurality of information acquisition terminals that acquire the traffic information, and provides a plurality of service servers capable of providing the traffic information to the in-vehicle device, and information communication with each of the plurality of service servers A traffic information system comprising a central server capable of receiving the traffic information transmitted from each of the service servers, and the traffic information obtained from the traffic server. A database that is stored in association with information related to reliability, and a transmission unit that sends the traffic information stored in the database to the service server in response to a request from the service server.

According to the present invention, traffic information sent from each of a plurality of service servers can be collected and accumulated in the database of the central server, and the accumulated traffic information can be stored in response to a request from the service server. By sending the information to the service server, traffic information can be shared between a plurality of service servers.
If there are a plurality of service servers, the central server collects a plurality of traffic information for one road link, for example, and the traffic information corresponds to the reliability information in the central server database. Therefore, the central server can determine which traffic information is highly reliable information based on this database. As a result, for example, highly reliable traffic information can be selected, and this traffic information can be sent from the central server to the service server, and this service server provides this highly reliable traffic information to the in-vehicle device. It becomes possible to do.
As described above, it becomes possible to collect traffic information with higher density than before by enabling mutual use of traffic information among a plurality of service servers, and more reliable information can be collected from these traffic information. By being judged, for example, to provide information on recommended routes to the destination and information on traffic conditions such as traffic jams, each service server uses more accurate (highly accurate) traffic information. It becomes possible to do.

(2) Moreover, the said central server will perform the process which updates the information regarding the said reliability of the said traffic information utilized, if the said traffic information accumulate | stored in the said database is utilized by the said service server. Is preferably provided.
In this case, as the operation of the traffic information system is continued, information on the reliability of the traffic information is continuously updated.

(3) In the traffic information system according to (2), when the service server acquires the traffic information stored in the database in response to a request, the service server executes a predetermined process using the traffic information. At the same time, it is preferable that the result of the process is fed back to the central server, and the update unit performs a process of updating the information related to the reliability based on the result of the process.
Thereby, when the service server uses the traffic information stored in the database, the update unit of the central server can update the information related to the reliability of the traffic information.

(4) Further, for example, the service server obtains the travel time from the departure point of the vehicle to the destination point using the traffic information related to the travel time stored in the database, and calculates the travel time (predicted travel time). Even if it is provided to the vehicle, the service server cannot determine whether the vehicle has arrived at the destination according to the predicted travel time. For this reason, if the driver can provide feedback on the difference between the estimated travel time and the actual travel time, the reliability information of the traffic information related to the travel time stored in the database can be updated. it can. However, this is a burden on the driver.
Therefore, in the traffic information system of (3), when the service server obtains information on travel time of a predetermined route as the traffic information, the vehicle uses the travel time and the predetermined route as the predetermined processing. The update unit compares the time actually required to travel and updates the information on the reliability of the traffic information of the road link included in the predetermined route based on the comparison result. Is preferred.
In this case, the reliability information of the traffic information related to the travel time stored in the database of the central server can be updated without imposing a burden on the driver of the vehicle. The predetermined route includes not only a case where a plurality of road links are included, but also a case where the predetermined route includes only one road link.

(5) In addition, the information acquisition terminal uses, as traffic information, a probe vehicle that acquires probe information including position information and time information related to a travel position as the traffic information, and vehicle observation information by a sensor installed on the road. A roadside sensor to be acquired.
In this case, the service server that acquires traffic information from the probe vehicle and the service server that acquires traffic information from the roadside sensor differ in the type of traffic information to be acquired. The traffic information sent from each can be collected and accumulated in the database of the central server, and the accumulated traffic information is sent to the service server in response to a request from the service server. Traffic information can be shared between other service servers.

(6) Further, the present invention is a central server capable of collecting information on traffic from a plurality of information acquisition terminals for acquiring traffic information and communicating with each of a plurality of service servers capable of providing the traffic information to the in-vehicle device. A receiving unit that acquires the traffic information sent from each of the service servers, a database that stores the acquired traffic information in association with information related to reliability of the traffic information, and a database that stores the traffic information. A transmission unit that transmits the traffic information to the service server in response to a request from the service server.
According to this invention, there exists an effect similar to the traffic information system of said (1).

(7) Further, the present invention is a plurality of service servers capable of collecting the traffic information from a plurality of information acquisition terminals for acquiring the traffic information and providing the traffic information to the in-vehicle device, In order to be stored in the central server in association with the information related to the reliability of the traffic information, a transmission unit that sends the traffic information and its own identification information to the central server and the information stored in the central server are requested. A command unit that issues a request command to the central server, and a receiving unit that receives the traffic information stored in the central server from the central device based on the request command. And
According to this invention, there exists an effect similar to the traffic information system of said (1).

(8) Further, the present invention collects the traffic information from a plurality of information acquisition terminals that acquire the traffic information, and provides a plurality of service servers capable of providing the traffic information to the in-vehicle device, and each of the plurality of service servers. A traffic information providing method performed with a central server capable of information communication, and when the central server acquires the traffic information transmitted from each of the service servers, the acquired traffic information is converted into the traffic information. The traffic information is stored in the database of the central server in association with the information on the reliability, and the traffic information stored in the database is sent to the service server in response to a request from the service server.
According to this invention, there exists an effect similar to the traffic information system of said (1).

  According to the present invention, traffic information can be shared among a plurality of service servers that can provide traffic information to an in-vehicle device.

It is the schematic which shows the traffic information system of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of a traffic information system. It is explanatory drawing of the traffic information which each service server uses. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the common format of common traffic information. It is explanatory drawing of the part which showed travel time information among the information accumulate | stored in the database. It is explanatory drawing of a part of information accumulate | stored in the database, and is explanatory drawing which shows the identification information of the service server which is the acquisition source of traffic information, and the information regarding the reliability of traffic information. It is explanatory drawing explaining the update method of the information regarding the reliability of traffic information. It is explanatory drawing of a part of information accumulate | stored in the database, and is explanatory drawing of the information (after update) regarding the reliability of traffic information. It is explanatory drawing explaining the update method of the information regarding the reliability of traffic information. It is explanatory drawing of the process which a service server performs. It is explanatory drawing of the path | route which the vehicle drive | worked. It is explanatory drawing of the difference of the predicted value about travel time and an actual value which a service server calculates | requires.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
〔overall structure〕
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a traffic information system of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of this traffic information system. The traffic information system includes a plurality of service servers. In the present embodiment, the traffic information system includes four service servers 10, 20, 30, and 40. As will be described later, each of these service servers 10, 20, 30, and 40 provides a service that provides various types of traffic information to the in-vehicle device 6 mounted on the vehicle 5 traveling on the road by wireless communication.

Each of the service servers 10, 20, 30, and 40 collects traffic information from information acquisition terminals that exist in the target area managed by the traffic information system in order to generate the traffic information to be provided. The information acquisition terminal according to the present embodiment includes a vehicle (probe vehicle) 5 equipped with an in-vehicle device 6 that travels on a road in a management area, and a roadside sensor 2 including a sensor installed in the management area. included.
The in-vehicle device 6 (probe vehicle 5) acquires probe information including position information and time information regarding the current traveling position as traffic information while traveling. Further, the roadside sensor 2 acquires observation information of vehicles (including probe vehicles and other general vehicles) by sensors installed at various places on the road as traffic information.

  Further, as will be described later, the formats of traffic information used by the service servers 10, 20, 30, and 40 are different (see FIG. 3). Therefore, in order to eliminate this format difference and enable mutual use of traffic information between service servers, the traffic information system according to the present embodiment performs bidirectional information communication with each of the service servers 10, 20, 30, and 40. The central server 50 has a function of centrally managing the traffic information of the service servers 10, 20, 30, and 40.

For this purpose, each of the service servers 10, 20, 30, and 40 transmits traffic information based on a unique format (hereinafter referred to as individual traffic information) to the central server 50, which is executed by each service server. The individual traffic information including identification information (service ID) assigned to each information providing service is transmitted. In the following description, this service ID is referred to as service server identification information.
The central server 50 analyzes the individual traffic information for each service ID, converts the traffic information into general-purpose traffic information based on a common format (hereinafter referred to as common traffic information), and converts the common traffic information to the central server 50. Accumulate in the database 51 (see FIG. 2).
When the common traffic information collected by a certain service server (second service server 20) and stored in the database 51 is to be used by another service server (third service server 30), the common traffic information is stored in the database 51. Common traffic information is converted (inversely converted) into individual traffic information based on a unique format of another service server (third service server 30), and the individual traffic information is converted into another service server (third service server). 30).
As mentioned above, even if the format of traffic information differs for each service server, the traffic information can be shared between service servers.
Hereinafter, the configuration and function of each unit included in the traffic information system of the present embodiment will be further described.

[First service server 10]
The first service server 10 is a server device (computer) managed by a road management organization such as the National Police Agency, the prefectural police headquarters, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, the Japan Highway Public Corporation, the Metropolitan Expressway Public Corporation or the Hanshin Highway Public Corporation. In other words, the computer has a processing device (CPU), a storage device, an input / output device, and the like. Each of the traffic management organization and the road management organization may have a service server. However, in the present embodiment, these are collectively referred to as one public management organization, and this public management organization calls the first service server 10. The case where it has is demonstrated.

  In FIG. 2, the first service server 10 includes a communication unit 12 including a communication interface, and a processing unit 13 that performs communication control and traffic information processing by the communication unit 12. The communication unit 12 functions as a transmission unit that transmits information and a reception unit that receives information between the roadside sensor 2 and the central server 50. The processing unit 13 is configured by installing a computer program on the first service server 10 (computer), and the function (command unit 14) of the processing unit 13 is executed by the processing device (CPU). It is demonstrated by that. The command unit 14 has a function of issuing a request command for requesting common traffic information stored in the central server 50 to the central server 50. Further, a database 11 for accumulating traffic information is provided on the storage device of the first service server 10.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, as a device on the public management organization side, a traffic signal 1, a roadside sensor 2, and a beacon device 3 are installed at various locations on the road. The device 3 can communicate information with the communication unit 12 of the first service server 10 through a communication line. Further, the communication unit 12 can perform information communication with the central server 50 through a communication line, and the individual traffic information possessed by the first service server 10 is sent to the central server 50 from the first service server 10. Identification information (service ID) can be sent and individual traffic information stored in the database 51 can be received from the central server 50.

  The roadside sensor 2 includes, for example, a vehicle detector that ultrasonically senses a vehicle passing directly below, and acquires vehicle observation information regarding the presence of the vehicle as traffic information based on the vehicle detection signal. The observation information acquired by the roadside sensor 2 is sent to the first service server 10, and the processing unit 13 of the first service server 10 uses the VICS information ("VICS" is registered as the degree of traffic congestion of the vehicle) based on the observation information. Trademark) or signal control information of the traffic signal 1 is generated.

The VICS information generated by the processing unit 13 is traffic information such as a degree of congestion on a road link that is a detection target of the roadside sensor 2. This traffic information (VICS information) includes information about the time when the observation information is acquired, and the generated traffic information is associated with the identification information of the road link from which the traffic information was acquired. ing.
The first service server 10 can provide this traffic information (VICS information) to the in-vehicle device 6 mounted on the vehicle 5 traveling on the road through the beacon device 3. The service server 10 can implement a traffic information providing service. The beacon device 3 may be an optical beacon or a radio beacon.

The traffic signal 1 is installed at an intersection, for example, and has a signal lamp 1b (see FIG. 1) that lights red, blue, and yellow, and a signal controller 1a. The signal controller 1a is connected to the first service server 10 via a communication line, receives signal control information from the first service server 10, and based on this signal control information, the blue, yellow, red of the signal lamp 1b The timing of turning on and off is controlled.
For example, the first service server 10 can generate the signal control information of the traffic signal 1 based on the observation information acquired by the roadside sensor 2 installed in the vicinity of the traffic signal 1. Information can be provided to the traffic signal 1. As the signal control information to be generated, there is command information for executing priority control for preferentially passing one vehicle at an intersection. Further, the database 11 stores this signal control information (information relating to the presence or absence of priority control).

  The in-vehicle device 6 has a control unit composed of a computer and a communication unit composed of a radio transceiver. The communication unit has a function of performing wireless communication with the beacon device 3 and a function of performing wireless communication with a roadside communication device 7 described later. The control unit can request the route search to the destination point to the service server (second service server 20) with which it is registered (member registration) through the communication unit, and is provided from this service server. The recommended route is notified to the driver. Alternatively, the control unit may have a route search function.

Further, the in-vehicle device 6 generates probe information as observation information from the traveling vehicle 5 and wirelessly transmits the probe information to the roadside communication device 7. Alternatively, the in-vehicle device 6 may transmit the probe information to the service server side via a mobile phone connected to the in-vehicle device 6.
The probe information is information including the current position of the vehicle 5, the passing time of the current position, the identification information (vehicle ID) of the vehicle 5, and the like. In addition, it may replace with the identification information of the vehicle 5, and the identification information (vehicle-mounted apparatus ID) of the vehicle-mounted apparatus 6 mounted in this vehicle 5 may be sufficient. The position of the vehicle 5 is calculated based on a GPS signal received by a GPS receiver included in the in-vehicle device 6.

[Second service server 20]
The second service server 20 is composed of, for example, a server device (computer) managed by a business operator (private organization) such as an automobile manufacturer, and the computer has a processing device (CPU), a storage device, an input / output device, and the like. ing.
2, the second service server 20 includes a communication unit 22 including a communication interface, and a processing unit 23 that performs communication control and traffic information processing by the communication unit 22. The processing unit 23 is configured by installing a computer program in the second service server 20 (computer), and the functions of the processing unit 23 (the command unit 24 and the route search unit 25) are executed by the computer program in the processing device (CPU). ) Is demonstrated by being executed. The command unit 24 has a function of issuing a request command for requesting the common traffic information stored in the central server 50 to the central server 50. A database 21 is provided on the storage device of the second service server 20.

  The communication unit 22 functions as a transmission unit that transmits information and a reception unit that receives information between the roadside communication device 7 and the central server 50. For example, as will be described later, the communication unit 22 converts the individual traffic information of the second service server 20 into common traffic information based on the common format and stores it in the central server 50. Send individual traffic information. When the common traffic information stored in the central server 50 is converted into individual traffic information based on the original format of the second service server 20 based on the request command from the command unit 24, the individual traffic Information can be received from the central server 50.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, roadside communication devices 7 are installed at various locations on the road as a business-side device, and the roadside communication device 7 is a roadside comprising a wireless transceiver that can communicate with the in-vehicle device 6 Communication unit and a communication control unit including a computer for controlling the communication. The roadside communication device 7 is capable of wirelessly communicating with the in-vehicle device 6 of the vehicle 5 traveling around, and is capable of information communication with the second service server 20 via a communication line.
The roadside communication device 7 receives the probe information transmitted by the in-vehicle device 6 and transfers it to the second service server 20. Further, the roadside communication device 7 acquires traffic information for provision to the vehicle 5 from the second service server 20 and transmits the traffic information to the in-vehicle device 6.

  As described above, the probe information may be transmitted via the mobile phone. In this case, when the in-vehicle device 6 generates the probe information, the probe information is sent to the mobile phone, and the mobile phone Send probe information to the station. Then, the base station transfers this probe information to the second service server 20. In addition, the mobile phone can acquire traffic information for provision to the vehicle 5 from the second service server 20 via the base station, and can send the traffic information to the in-vehicle device 6.

  Based on the position and time information of the vehicle 5 included in the probe information, the processing unit 23 of the second service server 20 provides travel time information about the link travel time, speed information about the travel speed, and traffic congestion for each road link. Traffic information including degrees etc. can be generated. The generated traffic information is associated with the identification information of the road link from which the traffic information is acquired, and is stored in the database 21 of the second service server 20. The traffic information also includes information about the time when the probe information is acquired.

The route search unit 25, which is a part of the function of the processing unit 23, also has a function of searching for a recommended route to the destination point in response to a request from the in-vehicle device 6 mounted on the vehicle 5. Information of the route search result (recommended route) can be provided from the communication unit 22 to the in-vehicle device 6 via the roadside communication device 7.
Thus, the 2nd service server 20 can implement the information provision service which provides information with respect to the vehicle 5 (vehicle equipment 6).

[Third and fourth service servers 30, 40]
Similarly to the second service server 20, the third service server 30 and the fourth service server 40 are configured by a server device (computer) managed by a business operator (private organization) such as an automobile manufacturer, for example. Since it has the same function as 20, the description is omitted here.

  However, the vehicle 5 (on-vehicle device 6) that can receive information from the second, third, and fourth service servers 20, 30, and 40 managed by such a provider side is the service server 20, 30, 40. It is necessary to register (member registration) with the information service provided by each. For example, the vehicle 5 registered only in the information providing service provided by the fourth service server 40 can receive information from the fourth service server 40, but the other second and third service servers. Information cannot be received from 20, 30. Furthermore, the service server 20, 30, 40 side can acquire probe information only from the vehicle 5 registered in its own service. In addition, each vehicle 5 can receive provision of information from the 1st service server 10 which is a public management organization.

[Traffic information used by the service server]
As described above, the first service server 10 collects observation information from the roadside sensor 2 installed at each place (each road link) of the road, and generates and accumulates traffic information such as the degree of congestion for each road link. Can do. The traffic information is individual traffic information based on a unique format set in the first service server 10. The traffic information can be provided to the vehicle 5 in response to a request from the vehicle 5 or the like.
Each of the second, third, and fourth service servers 20, 30, and 40 collects probe information from the probe vehicle 5 that travels on various locations on the road, and travel time information for each road link based on this information. Traffic information such as speed information and traffic congestion can be generated and stored. This traffic information is individual traffic information based on a unique format set in each of the second, third and fourth service servers 20, 30, and 40. The traffic information can be provided to the vehicle 5 in response to a request from the vehicle 5 or the like.

That is, the service server 10, 20, 30, 40 has a different traffic information format. An example of individual traffic information based on a unique format handled by each service server is shown in FIG.
The format of the traffic information managed by the first service server 10 and the traffic information provided to the vehicle 5 includes, as shown in FIG. 3A, identification information (service ID), congestion degree, road link of the first service server 10. Identification information (road link ID) and signal control information (presence / absence of priority control in this embodiment) in this order, and based on this format, the traffic information is used as a transmission signal. Store and send. In addition, this format has a basic area K1 for storing information related to service ID, congestion level, road link ID, and signal control, and a spare area K2, and other information is additionally stored in the spare area K2. Can be stored.

  The format of the traffic information managed by the second service server 20 and the traffic information provided to the vehicle 5 includes, as shown in FIG. 3B, the service ID of the second service server 20, the speed information indicating the actual speed, and the road link. ID) and travel time information are arranged in this order, and the traffic information is stored in a transmission signal and transmitted based on this format. Also, this format has a basic area K1 and a spare area K2 as in the case of the first service server 10.

  The format of the traffic information managed by the third service server 30 and the traffic information provided to the vehicle 5 indicates the identification information (service ID) of the third service server 30 and the standardized speed as shown in FIG. Speed information, road link identification information (road link ID), and travel time information are arranged in this order, and the traffic information is stored in a transmission signal and transmitted based on this format. Also, this format has a basic area K1 and a spare area K2 as in the case of the first service server 10. In addition, said normalization speed | rate differs from real speed (for example, speed display), for example, is the information of the converted value which converted real speed 0km / h-100km / h into the value of 0-1.

  The format of the traffic information managed by the fourth service server 40 and the traffic information provided to the vehicle 5 includes identification information (service ID) of the fourth service server 40, road position information, as shown in FIG. Speed information, road link width information, and travel time information are arranged in this order, and the traffic information is stored in a transmission signal and transmitted based on this format. This format also has a basic area K1 and a spare area K2. The road position information is information indicating the latitude and longitude of the road, and is information used in place of road link identification information in the service provided by the fourth service server 40.

As shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C, if the service server is different, the speed information is expressed differently, or as shown in FIG. 3D, position information is used instead of road link identification information. It has been. In addition, in each spare area K2, road link identification information uniquely set by each service server may be set.
As described above, each of the four service servers 10, 20, 30, 40 can collect traffic information by communication from the in-vehicle device 6 and the roadside sensor 2 that are information acquisition terminals. While being managed in the format, the individual traffic information based on this unique format can be provided to the vehicle 5 (on-vehicle device 6) registered in each service server by wireless communication.

[About the central server 50]
In FIG. 2, the central server 50 includes a server device (computer) including a communication unit 52 including a communication interface and a processing unit 53 that performs communication control and traffic information processing by the communication unit 52. A processing device (CPU), a storage device, an input / output device, and the like.
The communication unit 52 is connected to each of the four service servers 10, 20, 30, and 40 through a communication line, and transmits various information to and from each of the four service servers 10, 20, 30, and 40. And a function as a receiving unit that receives various types of information.
The processing unit 53 is configured by installing a computer program in the central server 50 (computer). The functions of the processing unit 53 (first conversion unit 54, second conversion unit 55, update unit 58) It is demonstrated by being executed by the processing device (CPU). Further, a database 51 for accumulating traffic information is provided on the storage device of the central server 50.

  When the first conversion unit 54 acquires the individual traffic information sent from each of the service servers 10, 20, 30, and 40 through the communication unit 52, each individual traffic information is converted into common traffic information based on a common format each time. It has a function to convert. And the database 51 accumulate | stores this common traffic information. A specific example up to the accumulation of the common traffic information will be described.

[About the accumulation of common traffic information]
When the VICS information of a predetermined road link (with road link ID “111”) is acquired in the first service server 10 and the individual traffic information based on the format shown in FIG. The service server 10 transmits the individual traffic information to the central server 50 through the communication unit 12 with this unique format. At this time, the first service server 10 sends the individual traffic information including its own identification information (service ID). In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3A, the service ID is included in the <1> item of the basic area K1 of the individual traffic information. The road link ID “111” is included in the <3> item of the basic area K1.

When the central server 50 acquires the individual traffic information from the first service server 10 through the communication unit 52, the first conversion unit 54 converts the individual traffic information into common traffic information based on a common format. The unique format of the first service server 10 is set in the central server 50, and this conversion is executed according to the first conversion filter (conversion program) set in the central server 50. The common traffic information converted from the individual traffic information by the first conversion filter is stored in the database 51.
An example of the common format of the common traffic information is shown in FIG. When the first conversion unit 54 converts the individual traffic information received from the first service server 10 into the common traffic information based on the common format, the congestion degree included in the common traffic information is an acquisition source of the information. The traffic ID is associated with the service ID of the first service server 10 and stored in the database 51. The degree of congestion is associated with the road link ID “111”.

  Further, in the second service server 20, the probe information of a predetermined road link (the road link ID is “112”) is acquired from the probe vehicle 5 registered as a member, and the format is shown in FIG. 3B. When the individual traffic information based is generated, the second service server 20 transmits the individual traffic information to the central server 50 through the communication unit 22 in the original format. At this time, the second service server 20 sends the individual traffic information including its own identification information (service ID). In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3B, the service ID is included in the <1> item of the basic area K1 of the individual traffic information. The road link ID “112” is included in the <3> item of the basic area K1.

When the central server 50 acquires the individual traffic information from the second service server 20 through the communication unit 52, the first conversion unit 54 converts the individual traffic information into common traffic information (see FIG. 4) based on the common format. To do. The unique format of the second service server 20 is set in the central server 50, and this conversion is executed according to a second conversion filter (conversion program) set in the central server 50. The common traffic information converted from the individual traffic information by the second conversion filter is accumulated in the database 51.
When the first conversion unit 54 converts the individual traffic information received from the second service server 20 into common traffic information based on the common format, the speed information and travel time information included in the common traffic information are The speed information and travel time information are associated with the road link ID “112” in association with the service ID of the second service server 20 that is the provider, and stored in the database 51.

When the individual traffic information in FIG. 3B and the common traffic information in FIG. 4 are compared, the road link ID “112” in the item <3> of the individual traffic information is moved to the item (1) in the common traffic information. Furthermore, the speed information based on the actual speed in the item <2> of the individual traffic information is converted into the speed information based on the standardized speed to be the term (2) of the common traffic information. The information is input to the item (2) of the common traffic information in association with the original (service ID of the second service server 20).
Further, the travel time information in the <4> section of the individual traffic information in FIG. 3B is the (3) section of the common traffic information, and this travel time information is provided by the information provider (second service server 20). In association with the service ID), and is input to the item (3) of the common traffic information.
As described above, when the individual traffic information is converted into the common traffic information by the first conversion unit 54, the type thereof is changed (for example, the actual speed is changed to the standardized speed) or the order is changed.

Similarly, in the third and fourth service servers 30 and 40, when the probe information of a predetermined road link is acquired from the probe vehicle 5 registered as a member, the individual generated based on the probe information. The traffic information is sent to the central server 50, and the central server 50 converts the individual traffic information into common traffic information based on a common format. The converted common traffic information is stored in the database 51 in association with a service ID indicating the acquisition source of the information.
In the case of the fourth service server 40, as shown in FIG. 3 (D), position information regarding the position (latitude and longitude) when the probe information is acquired is acquired in the item <2> as individual road information. Yes. According to the conversion filter of the central server 50, this position information is converted into a road link including the position.

As described above, in order for the first conversion unit 54 to execute the conversion process, the central server 50 includes a conversion filter (conversion program) for each service server.
The database 51 stores travel time (each road link) divided by day type and time zone, as well as travel time for each road link and for each lane, congestion level for each road link, traffic light Information relating to priority control (information relating to presence / absence of priority control), information on sudden events such as traffic regulations and accidents, and the like are accumulated.

[Providing individual traffic information to the service server]
As described above, the travel time information for each road link, for example, is stored in the database 51 of the central server 50 as the common traffic information. Of the information stored in the database 51, the travel time information is indicated. This part is shown in FIG.
The individual traffic information generated by each service server includes the information about the time when the observation information is acquired by the roadside sensor 2 and the time when the probe information is acquired by the probe vehicle 5 as described above. Information is also included. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 5, a database 51 having a configuration in which common traffic information (travel time information) for each road link is divided by time zone is obtained. Further, the observation information and the probe information include information related to dates, and common traffic information (travel time information) for each day of the week can be collected. FIG. 5 shows travel time information on weekdays. FIG. 5 illustrates road link IDs “111”, “112”, and “113”.

In addition, when there are a plurality of service servers as in the present embodiment, for example, a plurality of traffic information (individual traffic information) may be collected in the central server 50 for one road link. It is important to select which traffic information is stored in the database 51 (FIG. 5) and which traffic information should be used by the service server.
Therefore, in the present embodiment, the database 51 obtains the common traffic information obtained from each service server and converted by the first conversion unit 54, information on the reliability of the common traffic information, and the common traffic information. The identification information (service ID) indicating the service server that is the acquisition source (provider) is stored in association with it.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a part of the database 51. Each item shown in FIG. 6 stores identification information (service ID) of the service server from which the travel time information in the database 51 shown in FIG. 5 is obtained, and information about the reliability of the information. . For example, the travel time information “120 seconds” from 9:00 to 9:15 of the road link “111” in FIG. 5 is information acquired by the central server 50 from the second service server 20 according to FIG. , “1” as an index related to the reliability. In addition, the parameter | index regarding reliability means that reliability is so high that a value is large.

In this embodiment, priority is given to highly reliable traffic information, and the database 51 is constructed as shown in FIG. That is, in the database 51, when common traffic information is duplicated, one common traffic information with higher reliability is selected, and the common traffic information having the higher reliability is used by each service server. Information is set in the database 51. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the database 51 according to this embodiment is obtained from a plurality of service servers (second, third, and fourth service servers 20, 30, 40 in this embodiment) The common traffic information converted by the 1 converter 54 is mixed.
The selection process can be performed by the function unit of the processing unit 53 of the central server 50 and can be based on the reliability determined (updated) by the update unit 58 described later. If the information does not have superiority or inferiority, the information may be duplicated and set in the database 51.
Then, common traffic information with high reliability stored (set) in the database 51 can be sent to the service server in response to a request from each service server.

Conventionally, for example, when a probe vehicle registered only in the information providing service provided by the second service server 20 requests traffic information from the second service server 20, the second service server 20 Only the traffic information stored in 20 can be provided.
However, according to the traffic information system of this embodiment, the central server 50 collects and accumulates the traffic information collected by the service servers 10, 20, 30, and 40 as shown in FIGS. Therefore, even if the probe vehicle is registered only in the second service server 20, if the traffic information is requested from the second service server 20, the aggregated traffic information can be provided. .
That is, when the probe vehicle requests traffic information from the second service server 20, the second service server 20 requests the central server 50 for traffic information stored in the central server 50. The command unit 24 that is a functional unit of the processing unit 23 performs the request command. Then, the central server 50 that has received the request command gives the traffic information stored in the database 51 (see FIG. 5) to the second service server 20, and the second service server 20 uses the traffic information as traffic information. Can be sent to the probe vehicle 5 that requested it.

However, as described above, the second service server 20 adopts a unique format for traffic information (see FIG. 3B), and this unique format is a common format (managed by the central server 50). Different from FIG.
Therefore, the second conversion unit 55, which is a part of the function of the processing unit 53 of the central server 50, uses the common traffic information (see FIG. 4) stored in the database 51 as a unique format for each service server. It has a function to convert to individual traffic information based on

The unique format of the second service server 20 is set in the central server 50, and the central server 50 provides an inverse conversion filter (inverse conversion program) that performs conversion opposite to the conversion filter by the first conversion unit 54. Have.
In the case of the present embodiment, since the request command is received from the second service server 20, the second conversion unit 55 uses the second service server 20 to store the common traffic information (see FIG. 4) stored in the database 51. It is converted into individual traffic information based on the original format adopted.

Then, the communication unit 52 of the central server 50 sends the individual traffic information converted (reversely converted) by the second conversion unit 55 to the second service server 20 in response to a request from the second service server 20. Then, the second service server 20 gives the individual traffic information based on the unique format adopted by the second service server 20 to the probe vehicle 5 that has requested the traffic information. Can do.
In the present embodiment, the case of the probe vehicle 5 registered in the second service server 20 has been described, but the same processing is also executed in the third and fourth service servers 30 and 40. For this purpose, the central server 50 is provided with an inverse conversion filter (inverse conversion program) for performing an inverse conversion to the conversion filter for each service server.

As described above, the four service servers 10, 20, 30, 40 included in the traffic information providing system according to the present embodiment, and the central server capable of information communication with each of these service servers 10, 20, 30, 40 50, the traffic information providing method is performed by converting the individual traffic information sent from each of the service servers 10, 20, 30, and 40 into common traffic information based on a common format. To accumulate.
Then, in response to the request of each of the service servers 10, 20, 30, 40, the common traffic information stored in the database 51 is converted into individual traffic information based on the service server 10, 20, 30, 40, respectively. (Reverse conversion) and the converted individual traffic information may be sent to each of the requested service servers 10, 20, 30, 40.

According to the traffic information system according to the above-described embodiment, the central server 50 converts the individual traffic information based on the unique format managed by each of the service servers 10, 20, 30, and 40 into the common traffic information based on the common format. Since the common traffic information is converted and stored in the database 51, individual traffic information having different formats for each service server can be aggregated (commonly managed) as common traffic information in a common format.
The aggregated common traffic information is converted (reversely converted) into individual traffic information based on a unique format set by the service server, for example, at the request of a service server. Can be sent to the service server.
That is, if the service server is different, the traffic information is based on a different format. Even in this case, the traffic information can be shared between the four service servers via the central server 50. Traffic information can be acquired. As a result, each service server can provide a more effective information providing service to the probe vehicle 5.

  Further, in the database 51, common traffic information is stored in association with information related to the reliability and a service ID indicating a service server from which the common traffic information is acquired. For this reason, the central server 50 can determine based on the database 51 whether the common traffic information acquired and converted from which service server is highly reliable information. As a result, for example, highly reliable traffic information can be selected, and this traffic information can be sent from the central server 50 to the service server, and this service server can send this highly reliable traffic information to the in-vehicle device 6. Can be provided.

  As described above, the mutual use of traffic information among the four service servers enables the traffic information that can be handled in the central server 50 and each service server to be increased. By determining the high-level information, each service server can provide more accurate (accurate) data, for example, to provide a recommended route to the destination, travel time, and traffic information such as traffic jams. High) traffic information can be used.

In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3 (A), as information on the presence or absence of priority control in the traffic signal exists as individual traffic information, as shown in FIG. This traffic signal information is not included in the common traffic information, but such traffic signal information may also be included in the common traffic information.
However, among the traffic information acquired by the first service server 10, detailed control information of traffic signals, for example, information on signal control parameters such as cycle, split and offset regarding the light color of the signal lamp, In some cases, it should not be made public through the second to fourth service servers 20, 30, 40. In such a case, it is preferable that the first service server 10 selects only information that may be provided (or regenerates information that can be provided) and sends the traffic information to the central server 50.

[About another function of the processing unit 53 of the central server 50]
The central server 50 includes an update unit 58 (see FIG. 2) as part of the function of the processing unit 53 (see FIG. 2). The update unit 58 provides common traffic information stored in the database 51 to each service server. When used in each service server or the like, a process (feedback process) for updating information related to the reliability of the used common traffic information is performed. For example, when traffic information is used effectively, an index related to reliability is improved as information related to reliability of the traffic information.
Then, as described above, the central server 50 constructs the database 51 based on the information on the reliability (see FIG. 5), and the common traffic information in the database 51 is converted into individual traffic information by the second conversion unit 55. Conversion is performed and the individual traffic information is sent to the service server.

[Specific example of reliability update 1]
In FIG. 7, for example, the command unit 14 (see FIG. 2) that is a part of the function of the processing unit 13 of the first service server 10 requests the central server 50 to acquire common traffic information. A command is issued (step St1). This request command includes information on the type of necessary common traffic information. In this embodiment, the type of common traffic information is travel time information of 9: 00-9: 15 of the road link “111” (see FIGS. 5 and 6), and a request command is issued to request this.

  Then, the central server 50 converts the common traffic information according to the request of the first service server 10 into individual traffic information according to the format of the first service server 10 by the second conversion unit 55, and converts this into the first traffic information. It transmits to the service server 10 (step St2). Note that, according to FIG. 6, the acquisition source of the common traffic information to be transmitted is the second service server 20.

  When the first service server 10 acquires the traffic information stored in the database 51 of the central server 50 in response to the request, the first service server 10 uses the traffic information (step St3). For example, as a process using this traffic information, the first service server 10 performs signal control of the traffic signal 1 in this time zone based on the travel time information of 9: 00-9: 15 of the road link “111”. Run. For example, when the travel time indicated by the received travel time information is longer than the road link length, the road is considered to be congested, so priority control for eliminating the traffic congestion of this road link “111” The first service server 10 executes.

  And if the 1st service server 10 performs this process using common traffic information, the result of the process will be fed back to central server 50 (Step St4). That is, if the first service server 10 determines that the congestion has been eliminated by the priority control, the control result is transmitted to the central server 50. This determination can be based on, for example, the detection result of the roadside sensor 2 that detects the vehicle existing on the road link “111”.

  Then, the update unit 58 of the central server 50 receives the control result of the signal control, and obtains information on the reliability of the traffic information (travel time information) used this time in the first service server 10, that is, an index related to the reliability. Update (step St5). In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the reliability index is improved from “1” to “2”. In FIG. 8, signal control (priority control) is similarly applied to travel time information of 9: 15-9: 30, 9: 30-9: 45, and 9: 45-10: 00 of the road link “111”. The reliability index has been improved from “1” to “2”.

  As described above, when it is determined that the common traffic information set in the central server 50 is effectively used by each service server, the reliability of the used common traffic information can be improved. .

[Specific example 2 of reliability update]
In the service server (for example, the second service server 20), as described above, the route search unit 25 (see FIG. 2), which is a part of the function of the processing unit 23, is requested from the in-vehicle device 6 mounted on the vehicle 5. Accordingly, a function of searching for a recommended route to the destination point is provided, and information on the result of the route search (recommended route) can be provided to the in-vehicle device 6.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10, it is assumed that the vehicle 5 (on-vehicle device 6) requests the second service server 20 for a route from the departure point A to the destination point B (step St11 in FIG. 9). In this case, the route search unit 25 of the second service server 20 executes a route search process from the departure point A to the destination point B. This route search process is executed based on the travel time of the road link existing between the departure point A and the destination point B. The travel time is based on travel time information (common traffic information) stored in the database 51 of the central server 50. In FIG. 10, the road link IDs are “1” to “11”, and the value in parentheses following each road link ID indicates the travel time [seconds] stored in the database 51.

  That is, when the second service server 20 receives a route search request from the vehicle 5, the command unit 24 (see FIG. 2), which is a part of the function of the processing unit 23, displays travel time information (common traffic information). A request command for requesting acquisition is sent to the central server 50 (step St12). This request command includes information on the type of necessary common traffic information. In this embodiment, the type of common traffic information is travel time information of a road link that may be included between the departure point A and the destination point B, and a request command is issued to request this.

  Then, the central server 50 converts the travel time information according to the request of the second service server 20 into the individual traffic information according to the format of the second service server 20 by the second conversion unit 55, and converts this into the second traffic information. It transmits to the service server 20 (step St13). The travel time information to be transmitted is information stored in the database 51.

When the second service server 20 obtains the travel time information stored in the database 51 of the central server 50 in response to the request, the second service server 20 uses the received travel time information (step St14). That is, the route search unit 25 determines a recommended route to be provided to the vehicle 5 based on the travel time information stored in the database 51, and further departs based on the travel time information stored in the database 51. The travel time (predicted value) from the point A to the destination point B is calculated. The second service server 20 transmits information regarding the determined recommended route and information regarding the calculated travel time (predicted value) to the vehicle 5.
The route (recommended route) from the departure point A to the destination point B includes road links “1”, “4”, “7”, “10”, “13”, and “14” as shown in FIG. Yes.
And the vehicle 5 which received these information travels to the destination point B along a recommended route, as shown in FIG.

When the route search unit 25 transmits the information about the recommended route or the like to the vehicle 5, the route search unit 25 checks the traveling locus to the destination point B of the vehicle 5 based on the probe information transmitted from the vehicle 5.
Further, when the route search unit 25 determines that the route actually traveled by the vehicle 5 and the recommended route provided match, the route search unit 25 determines each road link and route based on the probe information from the actually traveled vehicle 5. The overall travel time (actual value) actually required is calculated. In addition, FIG. 11 is a figure explaining the path | route which the vehicle 5 actually drive | worked. In this FIG. 11, the value in the parenthesis following ID of a road link was required when actually drive | working the road link. Travel time (actual value) [seconds] is shown.

  As described above, the second service server 20 (route search unit 25) can acquire both the predicted value and the actual value regarding the travel time from the departure point A to the destination point B. The actual value is compared and the difference is calculated. The difference value is obtained for each road link (see FIG. 12), and the calculation result is transmitted to the central server 50. That is, the calculation result is fed back to the central server 50 (step St15 in FIG. 9). The calculated value of the difference becomes basic information for updating the reliability by the updating unit 58 of the central server 50. The smaller the difference is, the higher the reliability is.

The update unit 58 of the central server 50 receives this calculation result (see FIG. 12), information on the reliability of the common traffic information (travel time information) used this time by the second service server 20, that is, an index related to the reliability. Is updated (step St16).
For example, when the value of the difference between the actual value and the predicted value exceeds a predetermined threshold when viewed for each road link, the reliability of the road link predicted value, that is, the travel time information of the road link is reduced. The update unit 58 performs the update to be performed. In the case of this embodiment, in FIG. 12, for example, the reliability of travel time information of road links “7”, “13”, and “14” is reduced. If the reliability of the travel time information for each of the road links “7”, “13”, and “14” is “2”, the reliability is updated to “1”. In addition, when the difference in the actual value with respect to the predicted value is not more than a predetermined threshold when viewed for each road link, the reliability of the predicted value of the road link, that is, the travel time information of the road link is improved. The update unit 58 performs the update. In the case of the present embodiment, in FIG. 12, for example, the reliability of travel time information of road links “1” and “10” is improved.

As described above, when the second traffic server 20 converts the common traffic information related to the travel time stored in the database 51 in response to the request and acquires it as the individual traffic information, the second service server 20 performs a predetermined process using the common traffic information. The route search process from the departure point A to the destination point B is executed, and the travel time from the departure point A to the destination point B is obtained (predicted value by the database 51). The predicted value is compared with the actual value. Then, the updating unit 58 performs processing for updating the reliability information of the traffic information related to the travel time of the road link included in the route from the departure point A to the destination point B based on the result of the comparison.
As described above, when the common traffic information set in the central server 50 is used by each service server, the reliability of the used common traffic information can be updated.

In the embodiment (FIGS. 10 and 11), when the route search unit 25 determines that the provided recommended route matches the route on which the vehicle 5 actually travels, the vehicle actually travels. The case where the travel time (actual value) actually required was calculated based on the probe information from the vehicle 5 and the information related to the reliability was updated was explained, but the route on which the vehicle 5 actually traveled was provided. Even if the recommended route does not exactly match, if the road link included in the actually traveled route matches a part of the road link included in the recommended route, this match The travel time information about a road link may be compared for each road link, the difference may be calculated, and the information regarding reliability may be updated in the same manner.
Further, the use of the received travel time information in Step St14 of FIG. 9 may be performed by the travel time information being transmitted to the in-vehicle device 6 via the second service server 20. That is, the process using the received travel time information may be a process in which the second service server 20 causes the in-vehicle device 6 to search for a recommended route and calculate the travel time. In this case, the processing result is transmitted from the in-vehicle device 6 to the second service server 20, and the second service server 20 feeds back the result to the central server 50.

The above-described embodiments are all illustrative and do not limit the scope of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above embodiment but by the scope of claims for patent, and includes modifications within the scope equivalent to the configurations of the scope of claims for patent.
In the above embodiment, the in-vehicle device 6 has been described as an information processing device installed in the vehicle 5, but the in-vehicle device 6 may be a driver's mobile phone (smart phone) mounted on the vehicle 5. In this case, a mobile phone base station device is used instead of the roadside communication device 7, and the in-vehicle device 6 performs information communication with the service server through the base station.

  2: roadside sensor (information acquisition terminal) 5: vehicle (probe vehicle) 6: in-vehicle device (information acquisition terminal) 10: first service server 12: communication unit (transmission unit, reception unit) 20: second service server 22: Communication unit (transmission unit, reception unit) 24: Command unit 30: Third service server 32: Communication unit (transmission unit, reception unit) 40: Fourth service server 42: Communication unit (transmission unit, reception unit) 50: Center Server 51: Database 52: Communication unit (transmission unit, reception unit) 58: Update unit

Claims (8)

A plurality of service servers capable of collecting the traffic information from a plurality of information acquisition terminals for acquiring the traffic information and providing the traffic information to the in-vehicle device;
A central server capable of information communication with each of the plurality of service servers;
A traffic information system comprising
The central server is
A receiving unit for acquiring the traffic information sent from each of the service servers;
A database that stores the acquired traffic information in association with information related to the reliability of the traffic information;
A transmission unit that sends the traffic information stored in the database to the service server in response to a request from the service server;
A traffic information system characterized by comprising:   The said central server is provided with the update part which performs the process which updates the information regarding the said reliability of the said used traffic information, if the said traffic information accumulate | stored in the said database is utilized by the said service server. Item 2. The traffic information system according to item 1. When the service server acquires the traffic information stored in the database in response to a request, the service server executes a predetermined process using the traffic information, and feeds back a result of the process to the central server.
The traffic information system according to claim 2, wherein the update unit performs a process of updating information related to the reliability based on a result of the process. When the service server acquires information related to the travel time of a predetermined route as the traffic information, the travel server compares the travel time with the time actually required for the vehicle to travel on the predetermined route as the predetermined processing. And
The traffic information system according to claim 3, wherein the updating unit performs processing for updating information related to reliability of traffic information of a road link included in the predetermined route based on the comparison result.   The information acquisition terminal includes a probe vehicle that acquires probe information including position information and time information relating to a traveling position as the traffic information, and a roadside sensor that acquires vehicle observation information by a sensor installed on the road as traffic information; The traffic information system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising: A central server capable of communicating information with each of a plurality of service servers capable of collecting the traffic information from a plurality of information acquisition terminals for acquiring the traffic information and providing the traffic information to the in-vehicle device,
A receiving unit for acquiring the traffic information sent from each of the service servers;
A database that stores the acquired traffic information in association with information related to the reliability of the traffic information;
A transmission unit that sends the traffic information stored in the database to the service server in response to a request from the service server;
A central server characterized by comprising: Collecting the traffic information from a plurality of information acquisition terminals that acquire the traffic information, and a plurality of service servers that can provide the traffic information to the in-vehicle device,
A transmission unit that sends traffic information and its own identification information to the central server in order to store the traffic information in the central server in association with information related to the reliability of the traffic information;
A command unit that issues a request command to the central server to request information stored in the central server;
A receiver that receives the traffic information stored in the central server based on the request command from the central device;
A service server characterized by comprising: A plurality of service servers capable of collecting the traffic information from a plurality of information acquisition terminals for acquiring the traffic information and providing the traffic information to the in-vehicle device;
A traffic information providing method performed between each of the plurality of service servers and a central server capable of information communication,
When the central server acquires the traffic information sent from each of the service servers,
The acquired traffic information is associated with information related to the reliability of the traffic information, stored in the database of the central server,
A traffic information providing method, wherein the traffic information stored in the database is sent to the service server in response to a request from the service server.

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